Graham County planning commission recommends rezoning to allow smaller lots despite neighborhood objections

The Graham County Planning and Zoning Commission voted 3-2 to forward a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors for a rezoning request that would allow multiple dwellings on a parcel outside the city of Safford, after a public hearing in which nearby residents urged the commission to retain the county’s one‑acre minimum lot size.

Neighbors at the hearing raised questions about water, road access and density. “The aquifer — my property operates off the aquifer. Will there be a wall around each and every property? Whom will have the road? Where will the road be and how will it be maintained?” said a resident during public comment (Resident, public commenter). Another nearby resident said the area is largely one‑acre parcels and opposed smaller lots: “So we would like to just keep it as 1‑acre lots minimum.”

The applicant’s representative, who…